Bloodsports

For their first full-length in over a decade, The London Suede do what they do best: flamboyantly romantic Brit rock shot through with Brett Anderson's unbelievably ageless cry. All in all, it's an enjoyable and engaging affair; the band has always possessed more than enough charisma to gloss over the fact that their songwriting isn't terribly varied. The lack of snarling riffage (don't forget Suede were at one time an actual hard rock outfit) is definitely an issue. Then again, the three ballads closing out the record are some of the more ambitious pieces they've attempted since Dog Man Star.